UPRIVER from The Mill
6281 W Western Ave, Glen Arbor, MI 49636, USA
Located right along the Crystal River in downtown Glen Arbor, UPRIVER is a casual sandwich shop with a take-out window and outdoor picnic tables. Brought to you by the team behind The Mill, they serve elevated lunch sandwiches made with fresh-baked bread and locally farmed ingredients.
It is ideal for a relaxed family lunch where kids can enjoy the scenic waterside setting while eating sandwiches, salads, and fresh scoops of ice cream.
Kids love sitting at the riverside picnic tables, eating turkey or fried chicken sandwiches, and getting ice cream after.
Part of "3-Day Sleeping Bear Dunes & Glen Arbor Family Itinerary", a family adventure in Glen Arbor, MI, USA, for kids ages 7-12.
L'Chayim Delicatessen
6400 W Western Ave, Glen Arbor, MI 49636, USA
L'Chayim Delicatessen brings classic NY-style deli flavors to downtown Glen Arbor. They craft fresh sandwiches piled high with quality deli meats, cheeses, and toppings on house-made bagels and artisan breads.
With quick counter service, custom order options, and scratch-made baked goods like cookies and muffins, it's a convenient and delicious lunch spot for families on the go.
Kids go crazy for their freshly baked bagels, giant deli sandwiches, and famous homemade cookies after lunch.
Part of "3-Day Sleeping Bear Dunes & Glen Arbor Family Itinerary", a family adventure in Glen Arbor, MI, USA, for kids ages 7-12.
Cherry Republic
6026-B, 5109 S Lake St, Glen Arbor, MI 49636, USA
Cherry Republic is an iconic Glen Arbor institution and an absolute highlight for visiting families. The lush campus features the Great Hall with over 200 cherry products and generous free samples, a Public House café for casual meals, and an ice cream stand. Kids can play in the garden paths, sample cherry sodas, and try cherry chocolates while parents enjoy local ciders and cherry wines.
Kids love tasting free cherry samples, drinking cherry soda, and eating homemade cherry ice cream in the shaded outdoor gardens.
Part of "3-Day Sleeping Bear Dunes & Glen Arbor Family Itinerary", a family adventure in Glen Arbor, MI, USA, for kids ages 7-12.
The Mill Glen Arbor
5440 W Harbor Hwy, Glen Arbor, MI 49636, USA
The Mill Glen Arbor is an iconic historic landmark brought back to life as a riverside café, bakery, and evening supper venue. Located along the Crystal River in Glen Arbor, it features freshly milled organic sourdough, handcrafted pastries, espresso drinks, and light lunch options. Families can relax in the spacious indoor lounge surrounding original mill machinery or enjoy fresh air along the scenic water's edge.
Delicious warm cherry pastries, riverside views, and seeing historic mill machinery preserved inside the building.
Part of "3-Day Sleeping Bear Dunes & Glen Arbor Family Itinerary", a family adventure in Glen Arbor, MI, USA, for kids ages 7-12.
The Cyclery at Crystal River Outfitters
6260 W River Rd, Glen Arbor, MI 49636, USA
Located right in downtown Glen Arbor, The Cyclery is the premier local spot to rent bicycles for the whole family. They offer a complete fleet including youth bikes, child trailers, comfort cruisers, mountain bikes, and electric assist options. Staff members will help adjust helmets and seat heights so everyone rides comfortably.
Best of all, the shop sits directly along the 22-mile Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail. You can hop on your bikes right from the store without navigating busy roads, taking a scenic ride down to Glen Haven, the Dune Climb, or local beach stops.
Kids get fitted with comfortable bikes or trailers and can roll straight onto the traffic-free Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail.
Part of "3-Day Sleeping Bear Dunes & Glen Arbor Family Itinerary", a family adventure in Glen Arbor, MI, USA, for kids ages 7-12.
Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive
Pierce Stocking Scenic Dr, Michigan, USA
Located inside Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore off M-109 between Empire and Glen Arbor, the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive includes famous stops like the Dune Overlook (Stop #3) and Lake Michigan Overlook (Stop #9). Families can drive the 7.4-mile loop and park at designated overlooks, where short wooden boardwalks lead to platform viewpoints high above Lake Michigan and Glen Lake.
Kids love looking down the massive 450-foot sand bluff to Lake Michigan and driving across the historic covered wooden bridge.
Part of "3-Day Sleeping Bear Dunes & Glen Arbor Family Itinerary", a family adventure in Glen Arbor, MI, USA, for kids ages 7-12.
North Bar Lake Beach
RWVM+C2, Empire, MI 49630, USA
Located just north of Empire in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, North Bar Lake is a popular beach destination for families. Because it is a smaller, shallow inland lake separated from Lake Michigan by a low sand ridge, its clear water warms up much faster than the Great Lake, making for ideal swimming conditions.
Kids love splashing in the calm water or playing in the shallow sandy outlet where the two lakes connect. If your 7- and 12-year-olds want bigger waves or expansive views, a short two-minute walk over the dunes leads right to Lake Michigan. The beach features a paved parking lot, vault restrooms, and a short flat path from the parking area, making logistics simple for a family day on the shore.
Kids love swimming in the warm, shallow inland water and playing in the sandy outlet stream flowing into Lake Michigan.
Part of "3-Day Sleeping Bear Dunes & Glen Arbor Family Itinerary", a family adventure in Glen Arbor, MI, USA, for kids ages 7-12.
Empire Bluff Trail
Empire Bluff Trail, Empire Township, MI 49640, USA
Empire Bluff Trail is a standout 1.5-mile round-trip hike through a shaded beech-maple forest that leads to a cliffside wooden boardwalk with panoramic views of Lake Michigan, South Bar Lake, and the Sleeping Bear Dunes. For families with kids ages 7 and 12, it hits the sweet spot: challenging enough to feel like an adventure with a few hilly climbs, but short enough to easily complete in under an hour.
Along the trail, kids will spot forest wildflowers and wildlife before emerging onto the breathtaking bluff overlook. There are resting benches at the boardwalk top where families can take in the expansive coastal views or catch a sunset. Keep in mind that descend-the-bluff rules are strictly enforced for safety, keeping kids safely on the boardwalk.
Kids love walking along the high wooden boardwalk perched 400 feet over Lake Michigan and seeing endless sand dune views.
Part of "3-Day Sleeping Bear Dunes & Glen Arbor Family Itinerary", a family adventure in Glen Arbor, MI, USA, for kids ages 7-12.
The Cottage Book Shop
5989 S Lake St, Glen Arbor, MI 49636, USA
Housed in a charming 100-year-old log cabin, The Cottage Book Shop offers a warm, nostalgic shopping experience in the heart of Glen Arbor. It features a fantastic selection of regional Michigan books, Up North nature guides, children's storybooks, puzzles, and unique local art prints.
Cozy log cabin filled with Michigan storybooks, nature guidebooks, games, puzzles, and fun Up North souvenirs.
Part of "3-Day Sleeping Bear Dunes & Glen Arbor Family Itinerary", a family adventure in Glen Arbor, MI, USA, for kids ages 7-12.
The Pine Cone
6588 W Western Ave, Glen Arbor, MI 49636, USA
The Pine Cone is the go-to summer ice cream stand in downtown Glen Arbor. Located steps from the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail, it's a favorite pitstop for families cycling or returning from dune climbs. With 24 hand-dipped ice cream options, soft-serve, milkshakes, flurries, and floats, there is something for everyone in the family to enjoy on the outdoor picnic benches.
24 hand-dipped ice cream flavors, soft serve, shakes, flurries, and floats right in town after a fun beach day.
Part of "3-Day Sleeping Bear Dunes & Glen Arbor Family Itinerary", a family adventure in Glen Arbor, MI, USA, for kids ages 7-12.
M22 Glen Arbor
6298 W Western Ave, Glen Arbor, MI 49636, USA
M22 Glen Arbor is a flagship shopping destination in the heart of the Crystal River Outfitters district. The shop carries the full line of iconic M22 and Love Michigan apparelâideal for stocking up on soft sweatshirts, graphic t-shirts, and hats to keep everyone comfortable during cool lake breezes or evening bonfires.
In addition to signature clothing and popular outdoor gear brands like Yeti and Cotopaxi, the location features a relaxed outdoor wine patio where parents can sample local Michigan wines while taking a quick break from shopping.
Kids love picking out cool Lake Michigan graphic tees, cozy hoodies, and colorful stickers to customize their water bottles.
Part of "3-Day Sleeping Bear Dunes & Glen Arbor Family Itinerary", a family adventure in Glen Arbor, MI, USA, for kids ages 7-12.
Frankfort Beach
Frankfort, MI 49635, USA
Frankfort Beach is located directly at the west end of Main Street, making it easy to walk from downtown shops straight onto the sand. Kids ages 7 and 12 will love walking along the paved north pier to see the historic lighthouse up close.
With soft sand, gentle beach waves, and nearby restrooms and playground equipment, it's a convenient and iconic downtown stop for afternoon swimming or watching sunset over Lake Michigan.
Walking all the way out to the historic lighthouse and splashing in Lake Michigan right at the end of Main Street.
Part of "3-Day Sleeping Bear Dunes & Glen Arbor Family Itinerary", a family adventure in Glen Arbor, MI, USA, for kids ages 7-12.
Platte River Campground
5685 Lake Michigan Rd, Honor, MI 49640, USA
Platte River Campground is often referred to as the premier campground in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Nestled under a dense forest canopy, the campsites are paved, exceptionally clean, and spread far apart to give families plenty of space and privacy. Modern amenities like flush toilets, hot showers, water spigots, and electric hookups make camping comfortable with kids of all ages.
The location is unbeatable for family adventures. You can hike right from the campground loops to Lake Michigan, rent kayaks or tubes at nearby Riverside Canoes to float down the crystal-clear Platte River, or take a short drive to the park's scenic overlooks and dune climbs.
Kids love floating down the gentle Platte River on inner tubes and walking straight to Lake Michigan's sandy shores.
Part of "3-Day Sleeping Bear Dunes & Glen Arbor Family Itinerary", a family adventure in Glen Arbor, MI, USA, for kids ages 7-12.
Blacksmith Shop
5121-5395 Glen Haven Rd, Glen Arbor, MI 49636, USA
Located in historic Glen Haven Village within Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, this working blacksmith shop dates back to 1867. During the summer, volunteer blacksmiths heat metal in a real coal forge and shape iron tools on an anvil right before your eyes, explaining the traditional craft to curious kids.
It is completely free to visit and easily walkable from other historic sites in Glen Haven, including the General Store, Lake Michigan shoreline, and Cannery Boat Museum.
Kids can watch glowing hot iron hammered on an anvil and hear the clang of real blacksmith tools at work.
Part of "3-Day Sleeping Bear Dunes & Glen Arbor Family Itinerary", a family adventure in Glen Arbor, MI, USA, for kids ages 7-12.
Glen Haven Beach
WX3F+QP, Glen Arbor, MI 49636, USA
Glen Haven Beach sits directly adjacent to the historic Blacksmith Shop and Cannery Boathouse Museum along Sleeping Bear Bay. It features wide sandy and pebbly shoreline with clear, calm, shallow water that is ideal for kids ages 7 and 12 to swim, wade, or hunt for Petoskey stones and unique Great Lakes pebbles.
Families appreciate the convenient amenities, including boardwalk beach access, seasonal restrooms, picnic tables, and stunning panoramic views of the Manitou Islands and Sleeping Bear Point. You can easily pair a relaxing beach afternoon with interactive historical tours of the village.
Wading in crystal-clear water, searching for cool Great Lakes stones, and running across soft sand right by historic wooden boats.
Part of "3-Day Sleeping Bear Dunes & Glen Arbor Family Itinerary", a family adventure in Glen Arbor, MI, USA, for kids ages 7-12.
Dune Climb
Dune Climb, Glen Arbor Township, MI 49636, USA
The Dune Climb is one of the centerpiece attractions of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Located just a short drive south of downtown Glen Arbor on M-109, this massive 284-foot wall of sand offers an unforgettable natural playground for families. At the base, you'll find convenient paved parking, modern restrooms, picnic tables, and the Dune Center bookstore.
Climbing up the main dune rewards you with gorgeous views of Glen Lake. Kids and tweens can spend hours running, rolling, or sliding down the soft sand dunes. For adventurous families with older kids, the trail continues as a challenging 3.5-mile round-trip hike through the sand plateau to Lake Michigan.
Kids love charging up the massive wall of sand and running down as fast as they can.
Part of "3-Day Sleeping Bear Dunes & Glen Arbor Family Itinerary", a family adventure in Glen Arbor, MI, USA, for kids ages 7-12.
Riverside Canoes
5042 N Scenic Hwy, Honor, MI 49640, USA
Located just minutes away where M-22 crosses the Lower Platte River, Riverside Canoes makes family river tubing completely hassle-free. They offer inner tube rentals with backrests and cooler tubes, plus convenient shuttle transport. Kids ages 7 and 12 will love floating along the clear, knee-deep current through Sleeping Bear Dunes, ending right at the warm mouth of Lake Michigan.
Floating down the shallow Platte River on giant tubes and splashing right into Lake Michigan is an unforgettable summer adventure!
Part of "3-Day Sleeping Bear Dunes & Glen Arbor Family Itinerary", a family adventure in Glen Arbor, MI, USA, for kids ages 7-12.
Platte Point Beach
6830 Lake Michigan Rd, Honor, MI 49640, USA
Located at the end of Lake Michigan Road, Platte Point Beach is the ultimate tubing destination. After floating down the river, families can pull up on the sandy shore, relax on the beach, and let kids swim in the warm river mouth or splash in Lake Michigan.
Where the warm river meets Lake Michigan's wavesâperfect for jumping off tubes and swimming in two waters at once!
Part of "3-Day Sleeping Bear Dunes & Glen Arbor Family Itinerary", a family adventure in Glen Arbor, MI, USA, for kids ages 7-12.
Pyramid Point Trail
Pyramid Point Trail, Cleveland Township, MI 49664, USA
Pyramid Point Trail is a 1.2-mile round-trip walk (or a 2.7-mile full loop) located right in the historic Port Oneida district. The 0.6-mile climb to the main dune overlook passes through lush beech-maple woods and soft sand, making it manageable and fun for 7- and 12-year-olds. At the top, you'll get sweeping, elevated views of Lake Michigan, North and South Manitou Islands, and passing freighters.
Note for safety: National Park Service guidelines strictly advise staying at the top and NOT running down the high sand bluff to the water, as climbing back up is extremely difficult and dangerous. A vault toilet is available at the trailhead, and a national park pass is required.
Kids love climbing the sandy forest trail to emerge onto high dunes overlooking vibrant blue Lake Michigan waters.
Part of "3-Day Sleeping Bear Dunes & Glen Arbor Family Itinerary", a family adventure in Glen Arbor, MI, USA, for kids ages 7-12.
Glamp Michigan
7537 Wallaker Rd, Benzonia, MI 49616, USA
Recognized as a USA Today Top 10 glamping destination, Glamp Michigan offers stylish, fully equipped geodesic domes set on 13 acres of private woodland near Crystal Mountain and Sleeping Bear Dunes.
Each dome accommodates up to four guests with full kitchens, private bathrooms, hot tubs, outdoor fire pits, and panoramic forest views. It delivers an unforgettable, high-comfort outdoor retreat for families.
Kids love staying in futuristic geodesic domes, roasting marshmallows at private fire pits, and relaxing in the forest.
Part of "3-Day Sleeping Bear Dunes & Glen Arbor Family Itinerary", a family adventure in Glen Arbor, MI, USA, for kids ages 7-12.
The Homestead
1 Woodridge Rd, Glen Arbor, MI 49636, USA
The Homestead is a premier four-season resort nestled along a mile of pristine Lake Michigan coastline in Glen Arbor. Designed with family convenience in mind, the resort offers flexible lodging optionsâfrom cozy lodge rooms to multi-bedroom suites and condominiums with full kitchens that make traveling with kids easy. On property, families can enjoy multiple swimming pools, clay tennis courts, golf, and quick access to rentals for kayaking or tubing down the neighboring Crystal River. Its location right inside the Sleeping Bear Dunes area places top hiking trails, scenic drives, and Glen Arbor's local dining within minutes.
Kids can splash in multiple pools, race down waterslides, play on Lake Michigan's sandy beaches, and rent river kayaks or tubes.
Part of "3-Day Sleeping Bear Dunes & Glen Arbor Family Itinerary", a family adventure in Glen Arbor, MI, USA, for kids ages 7-12.
Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail - Crystal River Trailhead
Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail, Empire, MI 49630, USA
Situated less than two miles northeast of downtown Glen Arbor on County Road 675, this quiet trailhead offers dedicated parking right along the Crystal River.
From here, families can hop onto the paved trail heading north toward Port Oneida or south back into town. It is a convenient, low-traffic spot to unload bikes and hit the path.
Starts right by the peaceful Crystal River with easy access to flat, paved woodland trail sections.
Part of "3-Day Sleeping Bear Dunes & Glen Arbor Family Itinerary", a family adventure in Glen Arbor, MI, USA, for kids ages 7-12.
Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail
Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail, Glen Arbor Township, MI, USA
The premier paved biking trail in the region passes directly through downtown Glen Arbor. It connects families to top national park landmarks, including Glen Haven, the Dune Climb, and local beaches.
Most of the trail is smooth, wide asphalt that is mostly flat, making it safe and easy for kids aged 7 and 12 on two wheels. You can pick up the trail right in town or from several nearby trailheads.
Smooth paved paths through pine forests, dune views, and easy stops at beaches and ice cream shops along the way.
Part of "3-Day Sleeping Bear Dunes & Glen Arbor Family Itinerary", a family adventure in Glen Arbor, MI, USA, for kids ages 7-12.
Inn at the Mountain
12500 Crystal Mountain Dr, Thompsonville, MI 49683, USA
Situated right in the heart of Crystal Mountain resort village, Inn at the Mountain puts families steps away from year-round outdoor adventures. Guests stay in comfortable accommodations equipped with conveniences like kitchenettes and spacious living areas, ideal for unwinding after an action-packed day. Directly across from the inn, kids can splash around at the Park at Water's Edge outdoor water playground, ride the alpine slide, or tackle the climbing wall in summer.
During winter months, families enjoy easy access to downhill ski slopes, cross-country trails, and ice skating. Beyond seasonal sports, children can explore the Frankly Fun Playground, join daily family craft sessions, or walk along the sculpture trails at the Michigan Legacy Art Park. With on-site dining and endless kids' activities right outside your door, it provides a hassle-free, memory-making stay for all ages.
You can ride the thrilling alpine slide, splash around the outdoor water playground, and step right onto the ski slopes!
Part of "3-Day Sleeping Bear Dunes & Glen Arbor Family Itinerary", a family adventure in Glen Arbor, MI, USA, for kids ages 7-12.